My journey into birth work has been a long time coming. There’s a saying, “Doulas aren’t made, they already are,” and that resonates deeply with me as I reflect on how I arrived here. I have always been fascinated by birth. I was that child who was captivated by birth stories, especially my own. I had supported many friends and family during their births, and eventually took the leap into birth work, even without knowing exactly where it would take me. I’ve always been a strong advocate for bodily autonomy, empowerment, and vulnerability, and I’ve always felt a deep need to serve my community.
I grew up in Northern California as the middle child in a wonderful family. My mom shared her birth stories with us freely, and I loved hearing about how her grandmother was a midwife in rural North Dakota in the early 1900's. Those stories have stayed with me. I went on to study Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. These pieces shape my lens today, as uplifting the roots of where ancient wisdom and modernity collide.
I moved to Sacramento in 2015 and quickly immersed myself with the community. In addition to my doula work, I'm fortunate enough to be the Outreach and Communications Director for APPPAH (The Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health). My role with APPPAH has deeply expanded my understanding of birth by allowing me to explore how prenatal and perinatal experiences shape our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I’ve gained invaluable insights into how early life experiences, even in the womb, profoundly impact our development and attachment. This work has not only expanded my education but has also strengthened my commitment to improving birth experiences and supporting families in more holistic ways.
When I’m not supporting families at a birth, I love spending time in nature, taking long walks with my dogs, and baking bread. My family and friends mean the world to me.
With love,
Wendy
Birth Psychology and My Approach to Birthwork
My work with birth psychology has profoundly shaped the way I approach supporting families. I’ve come to understand just how much our experiences in the womb and during birth affect our emotional, mental, and physical well-being throughout life.
Birth is not just a physical event—it’s an emotional and psychological journey for both the baby and the parents. The prenatal and perinatal experiences can impact bonding, attachment, and even long-term health outcomes. This awareness has allowed me to approach birthwork with a greater sensitivity to the emotional and psychological layers of the birth process.
In my practice, I focus on creating an environment where both the birthing person and the baby feel supported, safe, and empowered. Understanding the impact of birth psychology means I pay close attention to how the emotional state during pregnancy and birth can influence the baby’s development. My goal is to ensure that the birthing person feels heard, supported, and confident, and that the baby enters the world in a space filled with love, safety, and connection.
This holistic approach, incorporating birth psychology, has deepened my commitment to helping families have positive and empowering birth experiences, and it’s a foundation of my work as a doula.
2011 with my first doula baby
I’d love to connect with you about upcoming events, speaking engagement sor community collaboration ideas—let’s make something great happen!